Cigar lighter



Nov. 28, 1944.- H. G. LEHMANN 2,363,679

` CIGAR LIGHTER Filed Oct. l1, 1939 :NvENToR Herer 6. Lehman B ATTORNEYSPatented Nov. 28, 1944 CIGAR LIGHTER Herbert G. Lehmann, Wood-Ridge, N.J., assignor to Automatic Devices Corporation, Bridgeport, Conn., a`corporation of Connecticut Application October 11, 1939, Serial No.298,910

(Cl. 21S- 32) 17 Claims.

lThis invention relates to cigar lighters, and, more particularly, tothe cigar lighters of the type wherein the energization of the cigarlightei` is controlled by the heating oi thev heating element topredetermined desired heat.

In prior constructions of cigar lighters, it has been proposed to useheat-controlled latching elements or the like for holding the ignitingunit in a position on the holding device wherein the circuit iscompleted to the heating element.

Upon the heating element reaching a predetermined desired heat, theheat-controlled means causes the latches to release the igniting `unitwhereupon the circuit to the heating element is opened.

These detent members or latches must be sensitive enough to beaccurately controlled by the heat-responsive member and yet sturdyenough to hold the heating element in closed-circuit position,especially where the device is to be mounted in an automobile or thelike which is subject to jars and vibrations. To reach this criticalcondition and balance, careful adjustments must be made which greatlyincrease the cost of the device.

Efforts have been made to overcome this dif- ;culty by providingmagnetic coils for holding the circuit closed. These, too, were costlyTinasmuch as it required an additional element for this purpose.

An object of the invention is to provide a cigar lighter in which theheating element is utilized as a means for holding the circuit closeduntil it has reached a predetermined temperature, at which time thecircuit is opened.

This is accomplished, according to the present invention, by providingthe igniting unit with a pole piece which is associated with the turnsof the heating coil in such a manner that, when the igniting unit or aportion thereof is moved to close the circuit to the heating element andcurrent flows therein, a magnetizing force will be set up in the polepiece due to the current 'passing through the turns of the heating coilto hold the ig-niting unit or portion thereof in closed-circuitposition. This magnetic attraction will be'suilicient to maintain thecircuit closed until the heating element has reached a predeterminedheat whereupon a normally closed, separate switch opensthe circuitthrough the heating element, thus releasing the magnetic force producedby the heating element, and the circuit will be also opened by movementof the igniting unit or a portion thereof.

In one form of the invention, the pole piece is made in the shape of acup, and the turns of the coil are disposed within the cup so as t0 forma magnetic field to energize the pole piece.

In another form of the invention, the pole piece is substantiallyU-shaped, with the heating coil wound around the bow of the U andsupplying magnetizing force to the pole piece when the current passestherethrough.

It will be seen, therefore, that the heating coil, in both forms of theinvention, serves a dual function, namely, supplying the means for igniting the cigar, and, at the same time, the force for holding the ignitingunit in closed-circuit position.

in the preferred form of the invention, the heat-responsive switch foropening the circuit when the heating element reaches a predeterminedheat is carried by the base contact and opens the circuit to the bastcontact.

When it is desired to obtain a second light after the heat-responsiveswitch has been heated to open the circuit and is still hot enough to bein open-circuit position, the present invention provides a means forreclosing the circuit.

rlhis is accomplished by yieldably mounting the base Contact in theholding vdevice so that, upon manual pressure of the igniting unitagainst the base contact, it will move the kbase contact into engagementwith the auxiliary contacts. which bridge the heat-responsive Contact,and will enable the circuit to be reestablished around theheat-responsive' switch to the heating element irrespectively andindependently of the condition of the heat-responsive contacts.

As soon as the circuit has been opened by the heat-responsive switch,the magnetic force for holding the contacts in engagement is releasedand the igniting unit is moved in the holder by an urging means so as toopen the circuit between these contacts.

To prevent the moving means from projecting the igniting unit from theholder upon the release of the magnetic holdingmeans, the presentinvention provides a detent on the holder which will engage an abutmenton the igniting unit and hold it in normal open-circuit position, butwhich will yield to permit thev igniting unit to be removed for use.

Other features and advantages will be apparent from the specificationand claims when taken in connection with the drawing, in which:

Figure l shows the holding device partly in section with the ignitingunit in normal opencircuit position.

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View 'of the holder and igniting unitshowing the igniting unit in closed-crcuit position.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the holder and igniting unitshowing the contact bridging the heat-responsive switch means.

Fig; 4 is a sectional View, taken along line 4-4 of Fig. l.

Fig. 5 is anend View of another form of heating coil.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view, taken along line 6--6 of Fig, 5.

According to the present invention, the holding device or holder Icomprises a metal tube II adapted to be mounted in an aperture I2'in thedashboard of an automobile or other suitable support which is grounded.

The holding device is provided with a plurality of lanced-out tangs I4which are adapted to engage the rear surface of the dashboard or supportand be drawn into clamping relation by an escutcheon plate I threaded onthe end of the metal tube which projects through the opening.

The other end of the holding device is provided with a transverselyextending end wall I6 having an aperture at its center in which ispositioned a sleeve I8 having a flange I9 extending in an overlappedrelation with the end wall and insulated therefrom by a washer 20.

The sleeve is insulated from the en-d wall by means of an insulatingbushing 2|, and is locked in place by means of a nut 22 threaded on theouter surface of the sleeve. The sleeve is adapted to be connected to asuitable source of energy, such as the battery of an automobile, bymeans of a connector lug 23 disposed therearound, and having a conductorsecured thereto. The co-nnector lug is secured to the sleeve by means oia nut 25 which is turned up to clamp the connector against the nut 22.

As shown in the drawing, the holding device has a contact disk 21 in theend thereof to be engaged by an igniting unit contact as will beexplained. In the preferred form of the invention, the contact ismounted on a plunger 28 consisting of a sleeye 29 slidably mounted inthe sleeve I8 and having a shoulder 29a abutting the end of the sleeveI8, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2, to limit its forward movement.

The other end of the sleeve has a switch arm 30 in electrical engagementtherewith and projecting outwardly therefrom. At the outer end of thearm is a contact 3l. The contact, as shown in Fig. 2, is threadedlymounted in the switch arm so that its position can be adjusted withrespect thereto to alter the operation of the switch. l

A cooperating contact 32 is carried by a heatresponsive means,preferably a bimetallic arm 33, which extends into juxtaposition withthe switch arm, but is insulated therefrom by an insulating washer 33a.By suitably adjusting the position of contact 3l, the temperature at.which the switch will open can be controlled.

The base contact is in engagement with the bimetallic arm and the wholeplunger assembly is locked together by a bolt 34 having its head 35disposed in a recess at the center of the contact 21, as shown in Fig.2, with the bolt extending through an insulating tube 36 carried by thesleeve 29 to insulate the bolt therefrom. The bolt is drawn intoclamping relation by means of a nut threaded on the end thereof, butinsulated from the shoulder 29a by suitable insulation as shown.

A U-shaped spring contact member 38 is disposed between the flange I9 ofthe sleeve I8 which is connected to the source of energy and the switcharm 39, in such a manner that the bow in the U normally engages theswitch arm and yieldingly urges the plunger assembly and contactforwardly in the holding device to thc position shown in Figs. 1 and 2.The ends of the U, as shown at 38a in Fig. l, are normally held out ofengagement with the contact disks due to the positioning of the disk bythe bow oi' the spring. In this position, the circuit from sleeve I8 tothe contact 21 must pass through the heat-responsive switch.

The sleeve I8, as shown in Fig- 2, is provided with a slot 43 in which apin i4 carried by the sleeve 29 is positioned, and prevents rotationbetween the elements and which limits the relative movement betweenthese elements when the spring 38 is compressed as will be explained.

The igniting unit of the present invention comprises an insulatingsleeve 53, having a portion 5I thereof of reduced diameter, and threadedat 52 to receive a handle 53, whereby the igniting unit can be grippedand manipulated. The other end of the sleeve is provided with aninternally threaded cavity 54 into which a heating element unit 55 ofthe present invention is mounted.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the heating unit comprises a cup-shapedmember 55 of magnetic material having a helical coil 51 of resistancewire disposed therein, one end 51a of the coil being anchored to acentral stud 55 which forms one contact for theheating element. Theother end 5127 of the heating coil is positioned between a conductingcap 59 and insulating washer 6B so as'to be electrically connected withthe conducting cap.

A nut 6I is threaded on the central stud which passes through the cupand the conducting 'cap and clamps the heating element and theinsulating washers in place on the conducting cap so as to form areplaceable heating element unit.

The conducting cap is connected by a wire 62 to a ring B3 clamped underthe handle and connects the other end of the heating coil to the handlewhich is of metal and forms a part of the heating coil circuit.

When in the normal inoperative or carrying position as shown in Fig. 1,the igniting unit is disposed in the holding device with the heatingelement contact held out of engagement with the base Contact by means ofa friction sleeve 65 having an outturned ange 66 at its forward endengaging the escutcheon plate of the holding device so as to limit itsinward movement and having at its inner end an inturned flange 6,1

which surrounds the reduced portion ci the insulating sleeve and urgedinto engagement with an abutment 68 on the igniting unit by a spring 59disposed between the inturned flange and the end of the handle which isthreaded to the reduced portion of the sleeve.

The spring also connects the metal handle to the grounded dashboardthrough the friction sleeve and thus completes a portion ol theelectrical circuit for the heating element.

When it is desired to energize the heating element, manual pressure isapplied to the handle and the spring will yield to permit the heatingelement contact to be moved into engagement with the disk contact, andclose the circuit to the heating element. rThis circuit will then befrom the battery, through the connector lug, to sleeve I8, through thesleeve I8, spring38 and sleeve 2S, switch arm `3|), contacts 3|, 32,bimetallic arm 33, to the contact disk 21, through the heating elementcontact 58, through the heating coil 5l, to the conducting cap 59,through the wire conductor 62, tothe handle 53, through the spring t3,and friction sleeve 65, to the holder |0 and thus to ground.

As soon as the circuit is established, current passing through theheating coil will produce a magnetic eld and set up a magnetic force inthe pole piece 56 which will hold it in engagement with the disk contact21 and maintain the igniting unit in the position shown in Fig. 2against the urging of the spring 69.

As the heating element is heated up, the bimetallic arm 33 will becomeheated and will flex to the dotted position shown in Fig. 2 to movecontact 32 from contact 3| and open the circuit to the heating coil. Thecontact disk 2l may be cut away, as shown at 'l0 in Fig. 4, to permitthe arm to vflex more readily.

As soon as the circuit is opened at the auxiliary switch contacts 3l,32, current will no longer flow in the heating coil, and the magneticforce produced in the pole piece will be reduced so that the spring |59can move the igniting unit outwardly of the holder and separate theheating element contact from the base contact, thus opening the circuitat this point until it is again manually closed.

In order to prevent the spring from ejecting `the igniting unit out ofthe holding device when the magnetic force is released, the presentinvention provides a spring finger 'li lanced inwardly from the holdingdevice. The conducting cap extends around the outside of the insulatingsleeve to form an abutment 12 thereon which will -be engaged by thespring finger, as shown in Fig. l, to limit the outward movement of theigniting unit to its normal position.

The spring finger can be readily overcome by the normal pressureutilized in removing the igniting unit for use and replacing it in theholder.

When it is desired to energize the heating coil to obtain a second lightbefore the heat-responsive bimetallic contact arm 33 has cooledsufciently to position the contacts 3| and 32 in engagement, the presentinvention provides an auxiliary circuit which will shunt out the switchupon manually pressing the igniting unit into engagement with the basecontact and applying an additional pressure thereto. This will cause theU-shapedl spring 38 disposed between the Contact arm 33 and the ilangeI9 to 'be compressed so that it assumes 4a position, as shown in Fig. 3,wherein the ends 38a of the spring arm bridge the gap between the flangeI9 and the contact plate 2l, thus shorting out the 'switch contacts 3|,32 and providing a direct Contact to the contact plate from the sleeveI8.

To indicate when the heating element has attained the desiredincandescence and prevent overheating of the heating element when theheat-responsive switch is thus shunted out, the present inventionprovides suitable apertures 'I5 in the heating element unit throughwhich light from the incandescent heating element is trans- One end |51aof the coil is electrically connected to the pole piece |56 which formsthe heating element contact, and the other end is electrically connectedto the conducting cap |59. The unit is mechanically clamped together bya central stud |58 connected to the pole piece and passing through theunit and having a nut |6| threaded on the end thereof.

The heating element unit of this form of the invention is mounted on theigniting unit as in the rst form, and when energized the pole piece |56cooperates with the base contact to hold the igniting unit inclosed-circuit position.

In the bro-ader aspects, it will be seen, therefore, that the use ofcritical latches may be eliminated and the heating coil utilized toserve two functions, namely, to provide the means for holding thecircuit closed and to also function as the means for igniting the cigaror cigarette.

Variations and "modifications may be made within the scope of thisinvention and portions of the improvements may be used without others.

I claim:

1. In an electric cigar lighter, a base contact; an igniting unitmounted on a holding device and having a heating element comprising acoil of resistance wire; a contact connected to the heating element andadapted to close a circuit thereto upon engagement with the basecontact; means for urging said heating element contact into open-circuitposition; means carried by the igniting unit and magnetized by the eldproduced by passage of current through the coil of the heating element,said means being operative upon magnetization to hold the heatingelement contact in engagement with the base contact; and automatic meansto break the energizing circuit independently of the contacts upon theheating element attaining a predetermined desired heat, said means alsointerrupting the excitation of said magnetic means and thereby releasingsaid heating element contact for disengagement by said urging means fromsaid base contact whereby the circuit is also opened at said contacts.

2. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device having a base contact;an igniting unit having a heating element thereon comprising a coil ofresistance wire; a contact connected to the heating element; means forurging the heating element contact into open-circuit position; means formoving the heating element contact against the urging means into contactwith the base contact to energize the heating element; means magnetizedby the eld produced by passage of current through the coil of theheating element, said means being operative upon magnetization to holdthe heating element Contact in engagement with the base contact; andautomatic means to open the circuit upon the heating element attainingthe desired heat, excitation of said magnetic holding means beinginterrupted upon the current ceasing to flow through the heatingelement, the heating element contact being released thereby for movementby said urging means into open-circuit position.

3. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device having a base contact;an igniting unit having a heating element thereon comprising a coil ofresistance wire; a contact connected to the heating element and carriedby the igniting unit; means for urging the igniting unit intoopencircuit position; means for closing the circuit to the heatingelement uponmovement of the igniting unit and the Contact carriedtherebyagainst the urging means into engagement with the base contact; meanscarried by the igniting unit and magnetized by the current passingthrough the heating coil to hold the igniting unit in closed-circuitposition; heat-responsive means for opening the circuit and releasingthe magnetic hold when the heating element attains a predetermined heat;and a detent means for preventing the urging means from moving theigniting unit out of the holding device upon release of the magneticmeans.

4. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; an igniting unitmounted on the holding device and completely removable therefrom foruse; a coiled heating element carried by the igniting unit; an electriccircuit for energizing said heating element; means for closing saidcircuit upon motion of said igniting unit relative to said holdingdevice; means for urging said igniting unit to open-circuit position;magnet means enermatically interrupting said circuit independently ofthe position of the igniting unit on the holding device upon saidheating element reaching a predetermined desired heat, whereby saidmagnet means is deenergized and said igniting unit released thereby formovement by the urging means to open-circuit position.

5. In a cigar lighter, a removable igniting unit having an ignitingcoil; a holding device having a base contact of magnetic materialmovably mounted thereon to cooperate with a magnet operated by theheating coil of said removable igniting unit to maintain a circuitclosed to the heating coil thereof; heat-responsive contacts carried bythe base for opening the circuit to the base contact and heating coilupon the heating coil attaining a predetermined heat whereupon themagnet releases its attraction" for the base contact; and means forclosing the circuit responsive to movement of the base contact on theholding device and independently of the heat-responsive contacts.

6. In a cigar lighter, a removable igniting unit, a heating coil carriedthereby; a holding device having a base contact slidably mountedtherein; means for urging said contact to a position to be engaged by acontact of said removable igniting unit to complete a circuit to theheating coil carried thereby; magnetic means for holding the ignitingunit in engagement with the base contact to close the circuit to theheating element; heat-responsive contacts carried by the base contactfor connecting the base contact to a source of energy, said contactsopening the circuit to the base contact, magnetic means, and heatingcoil upon the heating coil attaining a predetermined heat; and means forbridging the heatresponsive contacts upon sliding the base contactagainst the urging means in response to an eXternally applied force,whereby the base contact can be connected to the source of energyindependently of the heat-responsive contacts, said urging meansbreaking the independent connection of the base c-ontact to the sourceof energy and reestablishing control by the heat-responsive contacts ofthe base contact circuit upon release of said externally applied force.

'7. In a cigar lighter, a removable igniting unit; a heating coilcarried thereby; a holding device having a sleeve of conducting materialinsulated- 1y mounted in one end thereof, said sleeve being adapted tobe connected to a source of energy; a plunger having a base contactinsulatedly secured thereon slidably mounted in the sleeve; means forurging the base contact into a position to be engaged by a contact ofsaid removable igniting unit to complete a Acircuit to the heating coilcarried by the igniting unit; heatresponsive contact means carried bythe plunger for connecting the base contact to the sleeve, said contactmeans opening the circuit to the base contact and heating coil upon theheating coil attaining a predetermined heat; and auxiliary contact meansconnected 'to the sleeve and engaging the base contact for bridging theheatresponsive contact means upon movement of the base Contact againstthe urging means whereby the base contact can be connected to the sourceof energy independently of the heat-responsive contacts.,

8. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device; a yieldably mountedcontact positioned in the base of the holding device; an igniting unitmounted on the holding device and having a heating coil thereon; meanscarried by the igniting unit and magnetized by current passing throughthe heating coil for holding the igniting unit in closed-circuitposition with the yieldably mounted contact in the base; heat-responsiveswitch means carried by the yieldably mounted contact forl opening thecircuit to the heating coil when the heating coil attains apredetermined heat to remove the magnetizing force; and means forremaking the circuit to the heating coil upon sliding the yieldable basecontact to close a second circuit thereto independent of theheat-responsive contact.

9. In a cigar lighter, a holding device having a contact in the basethereof; yieldable mounting means for said contact; an igniting unithaving a heating element thereon comprising a coil of resistance wire;means for closing the circuit to the base contact upon manual movementof the igniting unit into engagement with the base contact; magneticmeans for holding the igniting unit in engagement with the base contactto close the circuit to the heating element; heat-responsive switchmeans for opening the circuit to the base contact and said magneticholding means upon the heating element attaining a predetermined desiredheat; and means operable upon manually pressing the igniting unitagainst the base contact to move the base contact against its yieldingmounting to bridge the heat-responsive switch means independently of thecondition thereof, whereupon reenergization of the heating element canbe obtained, said yieldable mounting reestablishing the control by saidheatresponsive switch means of the base contact circuit upon releasingthe manual pressure on said igniting unit.

10. The combination of a holding device, an igniting unit adapted to bemovably held by said holding device comprising a body of insulatingmaterial havinga handle at one end and a heating coil at the other endthereof, and a pole piece of magnetic material associated with theheating coil and rendered operative to hold the igniting unit inclosed-circuit position on the holding device by current passing throughthe heating coil.

l1. The combination of a holding device, an igniting unit adapted to bemovably held by said holding device comprising a body of insulatingmaterial having a handle at one end and a heating coil at the other endthereof having a plurality of turns of resistance wire, and a cupshapedpole piece of magnetic material associ- `ated with the heating coil andrendered operative by current passing through the turns of the heatingcoil to hold the igniting unit in closed-circuit position.

12. The combination of a holding device, an igniting unit adapted to bemovably held by said holding device comprising a body of insulatingmaterial having a handle at one end and a heating coil at the other endthereof having a plurality of turns of resistance wire, and a U-Shapedpole piece of magnetic material having the turns of the heating coilWound around the bow of the U and rendered operative by current passingthrough the turns of the heating coil to hold the igniting unit inclosed-circuit position.

13. A heating element unit for use on an igniting unit adapted to beremovably carried by a holding device, comprising a support secured tothe igniting unit; a pole piece secured to the support; and a heatingcoil mounted on the support and associated with the pole piece andoperative `to magnetize the pole piece upon passage of current throughthe heating element.

`11.1.. A heating element unit for use on an igniting unit adapted to beremovably carried by a holding device, comprising a support ofconducting material to be threaded to the igniting unit; acup-shaped'pole-piece secured to the support; and a heating coil havinga plurality of turns of resistance wire. mounted on the support andassociated with the pole piece so as to be operative to magnetize thepole piece upon passage of current through the heating element.

15. A heating element unit for use on an igniting unit adapted to beremovably carried by a holding device, comprising a support ofconducting material to be threaded to the igniting unit; a U-shaped polepiece secured to the support; and a heating coil wound around the bow ofthe U so as to be operative to magnetize the pole piece upon passage ocurrent through the heating element.

16. In an electric cigar lighter having a holding device, and anigniting unit, including an electric heating element, mounted on saidholding device and completely removable therefrom .for use, a circuitfor energizing said heating element; circuit control means for closingsaid circuit and normally urged to open-circuit position;electromagnetic means energized by the field produced by the currentpassing through said heating element upon closure of said circuit, themagnetic field produced by said energization operating as the sole meansfor holding said circuit control means in closed-circuit position; and

1 automatic heat-responsive means, independent of said circuit controlmeans, for automatically interrupting said circuit upon said heatingelement attaining a predetermined useful temperature, interruption ofs'aid circuit rendering said electromagnetic means inoperative andthereby releasing said circuit control means to open said circuit.

1'7. In an electric cigar lighter, an igniting unit mounted on a holdingdevice and completely removable therefrom for use; an electric heatingcoil on said igniting unit; a normally open circuit for energizing saidelectric heating coil; circuit control means for closing said circuitand normally urged to open-circuit position; magnet means energized bythe field produced by the passage of current through said heatingelement coil, and operative upon energization to hold said rcircuitcontrol means in closed-circuit position;

and automatic means for interrupting said circuit, independently of saidcircuit control means, uponsaid heating element attaining apredetermined useful temperature, interruption of said circuitdeenergizing said magnet means and thereby releasing said circuitcontrol means for return to its normal open-circuit position.

HERBERT G. LEHMANN.

